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Relief fund created to help displaced families after Thanksgiving morning fire in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A fund has been created to help the families affected by a Thanksgiving morning fire in New Bedford.

Firefighters spent about five hours fighting the blaze on Washburn Street. Three homes were heavily damaged, 27 people were forced to evacuate, and one woman was treated for burns.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell announced The Washburn Fire Victims Fund.

He said the city of New Bedford partnered with the Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford and First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union to establish the relief fund that is now accepting donations.

Mitchell wrote on his Facebook page that 100% of donations will be distributed to the families with no administrative fees deducted.

To donate online, visit the Inter-Church Council’s page. Checks written out to the Washburn Fire Victims Fund can be dropped off or mailed to the Inter-Church Council, 128 Union Street Suite 100, New Bedford, MA 02740.

Donations can also be left for the fund at any First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union.

The fund is administered by the Inter-Church Council because of a partnership with First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union, and beginning with a donation of $13,500 from the First Citizens’ Charitable Foundation, Mitchell said.